All things animal in Southern California and beyond

If you want to adopt a pet, help needy dogs and cats, weigh in on the future of spay/neuter or just enjoy vegan-friendly food and drinks with like-minded folk, you're in luck! This weekend and the coming weeks are full of events sure to appeal to animal lovers in the L.A. area. Think we're forgetting something or want to let us know about an upcoming event? Let us know by leaving a comment on this post or sending us a tweet @LATunleashed.

Friday, Nov. 5 is Worldwide Anti-Whaling Day, with citizens of countries from the U.S. to Japan and Australia to Pakistan participating in events to show their opposition to the practice of whaling. More information at WWAWD.org.

Friday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 14, the Petco Foundation and the Best Friends Animal Society join forces to host a national pet food drive to help pet owners who are struggling financially by distributing pet food to food banks. Animal lovers can help by dropping new, unopened pet food into specially-marked collection bins at Petco stores around the country. For a list of participating Petco locations and the food banks they will be supplying, visit Petco.com.

Saturday, Nov. 6, local pet rescue group the Brittany Foundation hosts "A Day in Their Paws," an event to raise awareness about the living conditions of homeless dogs. Volunteers will spend a 24-hour period "kenneled" with adoptable dogs at the Brittany Foundation's Agua Dulce sanctuary; animal lovers can sponsor them through PayPal, with funds benefiting the group's work on behalf of homeless pets. From noon to 4 p.m., the public is invited to an open house with refreshments, a bake sale, raffle prizes and a silent auction. Of course, adoptable dogs will also be on hand to meet potential new owners. More information at the Brittany Foundation's website. (Hat tip to reader Michael Caemin-Romack for letting us know about this event!)

Saturday, Nov. 6, the Found Animals Foundation hosts the second annual Found Animals Forum, featuring speaker presentations and a panel discussion on the topic "Spay/Neuter: Past, Present, and Future," at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., from 3 to 9 p.m. The event features guest speakers from FixNation, The Amanda Foundation, the California Spay Spay Neuter License Plate Fund, Downtown Dog Rescue and Clinico. Registrant check-in is from 3 to 4 p.m.; speaker presentations and panel discussions are from 4 to 8 p.m.; and the event concludes with a networking reception from 8 to 9 p.m. Cost is $30, which includes a drink ticket; parking is free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FoundAnimalsForum.EventBrite.com.

Saturday, Nov. 6, the City of Santa Monica and the Red Cross of Santa Monica present the Santa Monica Pet Fair and Chip-a-Thon at Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes free microchipping (while supplies last) and a low-cost vaccination clinic administered by spcaLA; pet training demonstrations; pet adoptions and more. More information at spcaLA.com.

Saturday, Nov. 6, Amoeba Music hosts an adoption event and charity auction in support of Animal Advocates Alliance beginning at noon, with auction starting at 4 p.m. The good folks at Amoeba will match any individual donation up to $1,000 at the auction.

Saturday, Nov. 6, vegans, rejoice: L.A. will have its first-ever Vegan Beer Fest at West Hollywood's landmark Roxy Theatre from 1 to 5 p.m. Cost is $35 for general admission and $45 for VIP entrance, and admission price includes unlimited pours of dozens of vegan-friendly beers. (Why wouldn't a beer be vegan-friendly, you ask? Some are filtered using animal products like gelatin or isinglass; some contain honey.) For more information or to purchase tickets, visit LosAngelesVegan.com.

Sunday, Nov. 7, the Best Friends Animal Society hosts its huge annual Fall Super Adoption Event -- where hundreds of needy dogs, cats and birds will meet potential new pet parents -- at the La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join other pet lovers, meet animals from local municipal shelters and rescue organizations, shop at pet-themed vendor booths and enjoy refreshments from food vendors who will donate 20% of proceeds from food and beverage sales back to Best Friends. If you're looking to adopt a purebred dog, you're in luck -- breed-specific rescues for German shepherd dogs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, border collies, Pomeranians, Boston terriers and greyhounds will be in attendance. (Of course, shelters and all-breed rescues often have purebreds for adoption as well.) More information and directions at BestFriends.org.

Throughout November:

Petfinder has declared November "Adopt A Senior Pet Month," and with older pets among the least likely to be adopted from shelters, it's a worthy cause indeed. To learn more, visit Petfinder.com.

Snack lovers can help needy dogs by purchasing chocolate! Handcrafted vegan, kosher candy company Rescue Chocolate will donate 100% of its profits during the month of November to Pit Bull Rescue Central. Better still: Each candy bar flavor has special packaging that highlights an issue facing companion animals (example: "Peanut Butter Pit Bull" aims to tackle "bully breed" stereotypes, and "Foster-riffic Peppermint" touts the need for foster homes to help rescue pets). Other charities that have benefited from Rescue Chocolate's delicious generosity include United Animal Nations, Philadelphia PAWS and the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. Eat up! More information at RescueChocolate.com.

Upcoming:

Wednesday, Nov. 10, Compassion Over Killing hosts a free vegetarian meal and discussion about progress in the farm-animal welfare movement with Paul Shapiro, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States' factory farming campaign. The event takes place at the Joslyn Park Rec Center Auditorium, 633 Kensington Road in Santa Monica, with doors opening at 8 p.m. and Shapiro's talk beginning at 8:30. The meal will be served potluck-style, so guests are encouraged (but not required) to bring a homemade vegan dish to share. More information at Compassion Over Killing's website.

Thursday, Nov. 11, take in an L.A. Kings hockey game at Staples Center and help needy pit bulls find loving homes all at the same time at Pucks for Pit Bulls. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets can be purchased online, with prices starting at $32. A portion of proceeds benefit local groups Dawg Squad Animal Rescue, Downtown Dog Rescue and Karma Rescue.

Saturday, Nov. 13-Friday, April 22, 2011, clothing-store chain Buffalo Exchange partners with the Humane Society of the United States to accept donations of fur clothing for the "Coats for Cubs" program, through which fur garments are reused as bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife. Fur in any amount (including fur trim and accessories) and condition will be accepted at all Buffalo Exchange locations. More information at BuffaloExchange.com.

Saturday, Nov. 13, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific offers an informative session on the North Pacific for budding marine biologists ages 7 to 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Kids will get a chance to touch animals in the aquarium's private classroom touch pools, watch a behind-the-scenes feeding of a giant Pacific octopus, practice feeding like a baleen whale and more. Cost is $24 per child, $19 for aquarium members (cost does not include aquarium admission). More information at the aquarium's website.

Sunday, Nov. 14, Southern California Bulldog Rescue hosts "It's Laugh-a-Bull," a standup comedy show to raise funds for needy bulldogs, at the Improv in Irvine, 71 Fortune Road #841, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the Improv's website.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, Animal Care for Artists and the BarknPurr Alliance Fund host "Furry Drinks," a networking happy hour for animal welfare advocates, at the Sportsmen's Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, from 6 to 8 p.m. Event is free; food and drinks are available for purchase. For more information or to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page.

Saturday, Nov. 20, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific offers an informative session on the North Pacific for budding marine biologists ages 10 to 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Kids will get a chance to touch animals in the aquarium's private classroom touch pools, find out just how large elephant seals can grow, help feed sea otters and more. Cost is $24 per child, $19 for aquarium members (cost does not include aquarium admission). More information at the aquarium's website.

Saturday, Nov. 20, Animal Acres hosts its annual Thankful Turkeys celebration, where guests can feed turkeys for Thanksgiving instead of eating them (and indulge in a guilt-free catered vegan meal themselves). Festivities start at noon with sanctuary tours, during which visitors can interact with Animal Acres' rescued farm-animal residents. Turkey-feeding ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by a vegan Thanksgiving feast for humans catered by One World Vegetarian Cuisine. Author Rory Freedman is the event's guest speaker. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit AnimalAcres.org.

Thursday, Dec. 2, Orange County-based film company Change For Balance Productions hosts a free screening of its award-winning documentary "Equine Destiny" at the Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center, 7111 Talbert Ave., at 7 p.m. The documentary examines the issues of horse neglect and abuse and the alarming rate at which American horses are slaughtered for human consumption. Advance RSVP is required no later than Thursday, Nov. 18. To RSVP, call (714) 848-6565; for more information about the documentary, visit EquineDestiny.com.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 4-5, Emma's Arc offers a two-day seminar on connecting with animals through the practice of reiki. Class takes place at Emma's Arc's Sherman Oaks location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and at Animal Acres' Acton sanctuary from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Students will learn the basics of reiki and how to apply reiki techniques to help animals. Cost is $250, with 20% of proceeds donated to Animal Acres; registration includes admission to a meet-and-greet session with farm animals at Animal Acres and membership to the organization. For more information or to register, visit EmmasArc.com.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 4-5, head to the Long Beach Convention Center for the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show, where thousands of dogs will compete in conformation, obedience and agility events. For more information, a schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit AKC.org. (Hat tip to reader Karen Smith for letting us know about this event!)

Saturday, Dec. 4, Riverside's Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (formerly known as the Riverside Humane Society) hosts a holiday event and pet portrait session with Santa Claus at its shelter facility, 6165 Industrial Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes a low-cost vaccination and microchipping clinic for dogs and cats (clinic ends at noon); crafts and goodie bags for kids; free dog behavior consulations with a trainer; an opportunity for dogs to test their skills on an agility course; refreshments; and more. Photo keepsakes and photo ornaments are available for purchase at $5 each; 5x7 framed photos are $10; and CDs with five poses are $15. Pets must be leashed or in carriers. More information at the adoption center's website.

Ongoing:

The L.A. Department of Animal Services offers low-cost vaccination, microchipping and licensing clinics every first Thursday at its Harbor animal shelter; every second Thursday at its North Central animal shelter; every third Thursday at its South L.A. animal shelter; and every fourth Thursday at its East Valley animal shelter. All clinics begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. More information and pricing in PDF format at the department's website.

Through December, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific will host Shark Lagoon Nights, in which its famous shark exhibit will remain open until 9 p.m. on most Fridays. Visitors will have the chance to touch bamboo sharks and see larger sharks and rays up close. For more information and a complete schedule, visit the aquarium's website.

Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Volunteers for the Burbank Animal Shelter host a mobile pet-adoption event at Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies, 1505 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank. See photos of adoptable dogs and cats at the Burbank Animal Shelter's website.

Every Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., Kinder 4 Rescue hosts a mobile dog-adoption event at Book Star, 12136 Ventura Blvd. (just west of Laurel Canyon) in Studio City. See photos of adoptable pets at the group's Petfinder page.

Every fourth Saturday, spcaLA hosts "PAWS to Read" at the Redondo Beach Public Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Participation is free; sign-up begins at 9 a.m. at the Children's Information Desk. More information at spcaLA.com.

Every Sunday, Animal Acres offers hourlong guided tours of its Acton facility at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can meet Animal Acres' resident cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens and other animals and learn about the sanctuary's work. Cost is $5 per person over age 3. More information at AnimalAcres.org.

Every second Sunday, Evidence of Love Animal Care hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 130 dogs and cats from area animal shelters and rescue groups come out to meet potential adopters -- oh, and there's a gourmet food truck, too. More information at EvidenceOfLove.org.